Method for constructing a mechanically stabilized earthen embankment using semi-extensible steel soil reinforcements

ABSTRACT

A method for constructing a mechanically stabilized earthen embankment has the steps of first constructing a wall facing element. A plurality of elongate soil reinforcement elements are attached to the wall facing element. A middle portion of each of the elongate soil reinforcement elements has a plurality of semi-extensible bent segments. Fill soil is added to build the earthen embankment over the reinforcement elements. Movement of the fill soil may create sufficient force to straighten some of the plurality of semi-extensible bent segments, allowing the earthen embankment to move to an active condition thereby reducing the stress on the soil reinforcement elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application for a utility patent claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/054,012, filed May 16, 2008.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to mechanically stabilized embankmentsystems, and more particularly to a method for constructing amechanically stabilized earthen embankment using semi-extensible steelsoil reinforcements.

2. Description of Related Art

The prior art teaches various forms of mechanically stabilizedembankment systems for stabilizing earthen embankments. These systemsinclude a wall facing element connected to elongate soil reinforcementelements that extend into the earthen embankment. The prior art elongatesoil reinforcement elements fall into three categories: (1) extensiblereinforcements made of plastic or other material that stretch underpressure, (2) non-extensible rods made of steel or the like that have adeformable region in a proximal end of the rod adjacent the wall facingelement, to accommodate some relative movement between the rods and thewall facing element (e.g., in the event of an earthquake), and (3)non-extensible rods that are bent at a distal end for the purpose ofanchoring the rod in the earthen embankment.

In the first category, extensible plastic reinforcements are effectivein accommodating movement of the earthen embankment along the entirelength of the reinforcements. The disadvantage of such systems is thatthe reinforcements are completely extensible, and there is nothing tolimit the stretching of the reinforcements. Over-stretching thereinforcements weakens them and may cause movement of the face andfailure of the system.

In the second category, non-extensible steel rods with deformablesections adjacent the wall facing element are useful in mitigatingdamage from earthquakes and some movement of the rods immediatelyadjacent the wall facing element, while still maintain support for thefacing wall. Munster, U.S. Pat. No. 1,762,343, for example, teaches asystem wherein the anchor elements are slidably attached to theretaining wall. Hilfiker, U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,572, teaches a systemwherein the anchor elements include deformable sections adjacent thefacing wall, so that the anchor element may move with the embankment inthe event of an earthquake or other form of movement adjacent the facingwall.

While the steel rods of this second category function to deform underthe stresses adjacent the wall, they are not able to accommodatestresses placed upon the rods inside the earthen embankment. Since therods are not extensible within the earthen embankment, they must be madewith sufficiently steel to prevent failure within the earthenembankment, this driving up the costs of the system

The third category is of non-extensible steel rods having a bent“swiggle” anchor at the distal end opposite the wall. The “swiggle”anchor functions to anchor the rods more firmly in the earthenembankment. An example of such a construction is shown in Hilfiker, U.S.Pat. No. 4,834,584. However, this form of “swiggle” anchor is unable toaccommodate movement within the earthen structure.

Other prior art patents of interest include Hilfiker, U.S. Pat. No.7,073,983, Hilfiker, U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,125, Hilfiker, U.S. Pat. No.4,993,879. All of the above-described references are hereby incorporatedby reference in full.

The prior art provides extensible plastic reinforcements, andnon-extensible steel rods that include deformable, bent portions ateither the proximal or distal ends; however, the prior art does notteach semi-extensible elongate soil reinforcement elements that includebent sections through the middle of the elongate soil reinforcementelements, that are partially extensible. Such semi-extensible elementsprovide accommodation to movement within the earthen embankment, asdescribed below, without weakening the elongate soil reinforcementelements. The present invention fulfills these needs and providesfurther related advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and usewhich give rise to the objectives described below.

The present invention provides a method for constructing a mechanicallystabilized earthen embankment in a location. The method comprises thesteps of constructing a wall facing element adjacent the location of theearthen embankment; providing a plurality of elongate soil reinforcementelements, each of the elongate soil reinforcement elements having aproximal end, a middle portion, and a distal end, the middle portion ofeach of the elongate soil reinforcement elements having a plurality ofsemi-extensible bent segments; positioning the plurality of elongatesoil reinforcement elements adjacent the wall facing element such thatthe elongate soil reinforcement elements extend into the location of theearthen embankment; connecting the proximal ends of each of theplurality of elongate soil reinforcement elements to the wall facingelement; and adding fill soil to the location to build the earthenembankment over the plurality of elongate soil reinforcement elements,whereby stress in the fill soil will create sufficient force tostraighten some of the plurality of semi-extensible bent segments in themiddle portions of the plurality of elongate soil reinforcementelements, allowing the earthen embankment to move to an active conditionthereby reducing the stress on the soil reinforcement elements.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a method forconstructing a mechanically stabilized embankment system havingadvantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide a method for constructing a mechanicallystabilized embankment system that includes an elongate soilreinforcement element having a plurality of semi-extensible bentsegments integrally formed by and spaced on the middle portion of theelongate soil reinforcement element, where maximum force occurs, suchthat the semi-extensible bent segments extend laterally from an axis ofthe elongate soil reinforcement element, but can be pulled straight uponthe application of excessive force that might otherwise break theelongate soil reinforcement element.

Another objective is to provide a method for constructing a mechanicallystabilized embankment system that includes an elongate soilreinforcement element that is semi-extensible and may extend a certaindistance to accommodate a controlled movement within the earthenstructure, but then becomes non-extensible and is not weakened by thepartial extension.

A further objective is to provide a method for constructing amechanically stabilized embankment system that allows sufficientmovement within an earthen structure so that it may move to the “active”condition, thereby stabilizing the earthen structure and reducing thestrain on the elongate soil reinforcement elements.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following more detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In suchdrawings:

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of amechanically stabilized embankment system, illustrating an elongate soilreinforcement element having a plurality of semi-extensible bentsegments, and a connection element for attaching the elongate soilreinforcement element to a wall facing element;

FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment ofthe mechanically stabilized embankment system of FIG. 1A, illustrating aplurality of ribs spaced along the length of the elongate soilreinforcement element;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof, illustrating the elongate soilreinforcement element once it has been rotated 90° for insertion intothe connection element;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof once the elongate soil reinforcementelement has been inserted into the connection element and rotated backninety degrees to a locked position;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of theconnection element of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof once the connection element has beenbent into a generally C-shape.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the mechanicallystabilized embankment system;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the mechanicallystabilized embankment system;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of the mechanicallystabilized embankment system;

FIG. 10A-10D are top plan views of a fifth embodiment of the system,illustrating different embodiments of the connection between theelongate soil reinforcement element and the wall facing element;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a sixth embodiment of the mechanicallystabilized embankment system;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a seventh embodiment of the mechanicallystabilized embankment system;

FIG. 13 is a perspective sectional view of an earthen embankmentillustrating how the elongate soil reinforcement elements of FIG. 1A arepositioned to stabilize the earthen embankment;

FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating how the plurality of semi-extensiblebent segments function to reduce force at the locus of maximum force,thereby reducing stress on the mechanically stabilized embankmentsystem;

FIG. 15A is a side elevational view of a splicing element for splicingtwo different segments of the elongate soil resistance element;

FIG. 15B is a top plan view thereof, and

FIG. 16 is a graph illustrating a normalized coefficient of earthpressure relative to a depth below the top of the wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above-described drawing figures illustrate the invention, a methodfor constructing a mechanically stabilized embankment system 10. Themechanically stabilized embankment system 10 includes an elongate soilreinforcement element 30 having a plurality of semi-extensible bentsegments 48. The system 10 may further include a means for securing theelongate soil reinforcement element 30 to a wall facing element 12, suchas a connection element 20 for connecting the soil reinforcement element30 to the wall facing element 12.

The semi-extensible bent segments 48 not only provide pullout resistanceto the soil reinforcement element 30, they also enable a middle portion37 of the soil reinforcement element 30, that is subjected to themaximum stresses, to extend a limited amount under excessive strain.This limited “semi-extensible” movement allows the backfill soil of theearthen embankment 15 to go into the active condition, thereby reducingthe strain on the elongate soil reinforcement elements 30, withoutweakening the final strength of the soil reinforcement element 30.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are exploded perspective views of a first embodiment ofthe mechanically stabilized embankment system 10, illustrating a rodform of the elongate soil reinforcement element 30, with FIG. 1Bincluding ribs 31 described in greater detail below. FIG. 2 is a topplan view thereof, illustrating the elongate soil reinforcement element30 once it has been rotated 90° for insertion into a connection element20. FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof once the elongate soilreinforcement element 30 has been inserted into the connection element20 and rotated back ninety degrees to a locked position.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-3, in a first embodiment the connectionelement 20 is a connection bracket. In this embodiment, the connectionbracket 20 may include a wall engaging element 22 and a firstinterlocking element 24. The wall engaging element 22 is adapted forengaging the wall facing element 12. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, theconnection bracket 20 has a generally U-shaped cross-section, and thewall engaging element 22 is provided by outwardly extending flanges. Inthis embodiment, the wall facing element 12 is made of concrete, andwhen the concrete is poured, the connection bracket 20 is positionedsuch that the outwardly extending flanges 22 are locked within thesetting concrete, using techniques well-known in the art.

The first interlocking element 24 is adapted for receiving and lockinglyengaging the soil reinforcement element 30. In the embodiment of FIGS.1-3, the first interlocking element 24 is a rectangular slot adapted toreceive the soil reinforcement element 30, as described in greaterdetail below. Alternative interlocking elements may be devised by thoseskilled in the art, and should be considered within the scope of thepresent invention.

The elongate soil reinforcement element 30 includes a proximal end 36, amiddle portion 37, and a distal end 42. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3,the elongate soil reinforcement element 30 is an elongate rod, and thesemi-extensible bent segments 48 may be a deformable kinked section thatare integrally formed by the elongate soil reinforcement element 30 andregularly spaced along the length of, or portion of, the middle portion37 of the elongate soil reinforcement element 30, to extend laterally adistance D from the axis A (as illustrated in FIG. 3) of the element 30.

In one embodiment, the semi-extensible bent segments 48 may be generallyV-shaped or Z-shaped elements. In alternative embodiments, some of whichare discussed below, the semi-extensible bent segments 48 may have othershapes (e.g., C-shaped, or any other shape that provides forsemi-extensibility), and may be formed in any suitable number andposition as may be selected by one skilled in the art. Thesemi-extensible bent segments 48 are integrally formed by and spaced onthe middle portion 37 of the elongate soil reinforcement element 30 suchthat each semi-extensible bent segments 48 extend laterally from theaxis A, but can be pulled straight upon the application of excessiveforce that might otherwise break the elongate soil reinforcement element30.

In one embodiment, the elongate soil reinforcement element 30 is made ofa “non-extensible” material such as steel, aluminum, or other suitablematerial, such as is known to those skilled in the art (see AmericanAssociation of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)guidelines and standards). “Semi-extensible” elements are constructed ofnon-extensible materials but are physically bent to provide a measure ofextensibility despite the non-extensible nature of the underlyingmaterial. These materials are used in preference to “extensible”materials such as plastics, which suffer disadvantages described above.

For purposes of this application, the term “soil reinforcement element”is hereby defined to include any form of elongate rod, strap, screw,bar, shaft, mesh, grid, and/or other similar and/or equivalentstructure. The reinforcement element 30 may have an axis, which ishereby defined to include any form of general line adapted to bear thestrain of supporting the wall facing element 12 against the weight ofthe earthen embankment.

The proximal end 36 of the elongate soil reinforcement element 30includes a second interlocking element 46 adapted to lockingly engagethe first interlocking element 24 of the connection bracket 20. In thepresent embodiment, a second interlocking element 46 includes a pair ofoutwardly extending posts that are generally perpendicular to the axis Aof the elongate soil reinforcement element 30. The posts 46 may beinserted into the rectangular slot 24, as illustrated in FIG. 2, andwhen the elongate soil reinforcement element 30 is rotated 90°, asillustrated in FIG. 3, the posts 46 lockingly engage the connectionbracket 20.

While some additional embodiments of the first and second interlockingelements 24 and 46 are discussed in greater detail below, any form ofinterlocking known in the art, or devisable by one skilled in the artconsistent with the present invention, should be considered within thescope of the present invention.

As discussed above, the semi-extensible bent segments 48 enable the soilreinforcement element 30 to not only provide pull-out resistance, but toalso withstand greater strains and/or deformations within the earthenembankment without breaking. When the earthen embankment exerts a strainagainst the elongate soil reinforcement element 30, or when the earthenembankment deforms the elongate soil reinforcement element 30 in otherways (e.g., shifting soil, or other conditions), the bent segments 48enable the element 30 to extend somewhat before breaking. Obviously,those skilled in the art may devise many alternative shapes andembodiments of the bent segments 48 (some of which are discussed ingreater detail below), and such alternatives should be considered withinthe scope of the claimed invention. The distal end 42 is typicallywithout any form of anchor or similar feature.

FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of the elongate soil reinforcementelement 30, in which the body of the elongate soil reinforcement element30 is smooth. FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of an alternativeembodiment of the mechanically stabilized embankment system 10 of FIG.1A, illustrating a plurality of ribs 31 spaced along the length of theelongate soil reinforcement element 30. The plurality of ribs 31function to increase the pullout resistance of the elongate soilreinforcement element 30. In one embodiment, the ribs 31 are about ¼inch high and spaced about 2 inches apart; however, those skilled in theart may devise alternative sizes, arrangements, and spacing, and suchalternatives should be included within the scope of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of theconnection bracket 130 of FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereofonce the connection bracket 130 has been bent into a generally C-shape.As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the alternative embodiment of theconnection bracket 130, the connection bracket 130 includes a top wireelement 132A and a bottom wire element 132B, which may be mirror imagesof each other. Each wire element 132A and 132B includes upwardlyextending flanges 134 at either end, an upwardly bent portion 140 in themiddle, and middle portions 136 between the flanges 134 and the bentportion 140.

The wire elements 132A and 132B are connected together with welds 138 orsimilar or equivalent connection means, as illustrated in FIG. 4, andthen the wire elements 132A and 132B are bent into the generallyC-shaped cross-section, as illustrated in the FIG. 5. The flanges 134may be embedded in the concrete of the wall facing element 12, foranchoring the connection bracket 130 in the wall facing element 12. Theupwardly bent portions 140 of the wire elements 132A and 132B togetherform an aperture 142, illustrated in FIG. 4, that is adapted to receivethe second interlocking element 46 of the elongate soil reinforcementelement 30, as described above.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the mechanicallystabilized embankment system 50, and FIG. 7 is a side elevation viewthereof. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second embodiment of themechanically stabilized embankment system 50 includes a connectionbracket 52 that includes a loop 54 or similar feature that is adapted tobe embedded in the concrete of the wall facing element 12. In theembodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the loop 54 has a generally triangularcross-section; however, it may be as any shape or configuration deemedsuitable by one skilled in the art. In this embodiment, the soilreinforcement element is formed by a strap 57 that is attached to theconnection bracket 52 with a bolt 56 or similar fastener.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, this embodiment of the soil reinforcementelement is a strap 57 that is much wider than it is thick. The strap 57includes V-shaped semi-extensible bent segments 58. The V-shape extendslaterally, so that this portion of the strap 57 is semi-extensible andmay be pulled straight to absorb strain without breaking.

Also illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the strap 57 may also include ribs 59in the form of ridges or similar structures to increase the pulloutresistance of the strap 57, as discussed above.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the mechanicallystabilized embankment system 60. As illustrated in FIG. 8, in thisembodiment the connection bracket is provided by an engagement portion62 of a wire mesh 64 that provides the wall facing element in thisembodiment. The soil reinforcement elements 30 may be attached to eachother with a plurality of lateral elements 66 (e.g., rods or otherconnectors), forming a horizontal mat structure that is adapted to beinstalled in the earthen embankment.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the means forconnecting the soil resistance elements 30 to the wall facing element,in this case a wire mesh 80 similar to the wire mesh 64 illustrated inFIG. 8. In this embodiment, the wire mesh 80 includes vertical supports82 that are positioned in close proximity to each other, and thesevertical supports 82 provide the connection element. The secondinterlocking element, in this embodiment, is provided by a C-shapedanchor 84 that is welded or otherwise attached to the soil resistanceelements 30. The C-shaped anchor 84 may be positioned through thevertical supports 82, turned, and lockingly engage the vertical supports82. Obviously, the term “C-shaped” is hereby defined to include anyfunctionally similar element that may engage the wire mesh 80 orassociated parts in a similar manner.

FIGS. 10A-10D are top plan views of another alternative embodiments ofthe means for connecting described in FIG. 9. In these embodiments, theconnection element is provided by some portion of the wall, or a bracketattached thereto, and the second interlocking element is provided by theproximal end of the soil reinforcement element 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 10A, in one embodiment the connection element isprovided by part of the wire mesh 80, and the second interlockingelement is provided by the proximal end 36 of the soil reinforcementelement 30, which includes an integral bent portion 92 for engaging asingle vertical support 82 (of the wire mesh 64 of FIG. 8). In theembodiment of FIG. 10A, the integral bent portion 92 may be bent toinclude a spiral portion 94 that extends to an end 96 that enables theintegral bent portion 92 to be easily yet securely attached to thevertical support 82 by twisting the end 96 around the vertical support82.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10B, the integral bent portion 92 is 180degrees and then extends straight adjacent the soil reinforcementelement 30. This embodiment relies upon the compacted soil adjacent thebent portion 92 to maintain the bend of the proximal end 36 around thevertical support 82, so that no twist is required, and the installationis made simpler.

In the embodiment of FIG. 10C, the soil reinforcement element 30 is bentaround a wire 93 (e.g. some form of loop, ring, or similar attachmentpoint) that is embedded in the concrete of the wall 12. The proximal end36 is bent around the wire 93, as in FIG. 10B, but in this embodiment azip tie 98 or similar fastener may be used to further fasten theproximal end 36 in place to prevent unwanted movement. Likewise, FIG.10D illustrates the proximal end 36 of the soil reinforcement element 30being bent around the wire 93.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are additional alternative embodiments of the elongatesoil reinforcement element 30 and the connection element 20, discussedabove. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the alternative embodiment of theelongate soil reinforcement element 100 includes first and secondelements 102A and 102B connected together with welds 106 or similarattachment elements or means. This embodiment of the connection element84 is formed by integral proximal ends 84A and 84B which are formed toengage vertical supports 82. Each of the first and second elements 102Aand 102B includes opposing shaped elements 104A and 104B. In theembodiment of FIG. 11, the opposing shaped elements 104A and 104B arecurved to form, together, a circle or oval.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, first and second elements 112A and 112Binclude opposed shaped elements 114A and 114B that are bent to form,together, a square or rectangle. Those skilled in the art may devisealternative shapes with similar function, and such alternatives shouldbe considered within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective sectional view of an earthen embankment 15illustrating how the earthen embankment 15 is constructed using theelongate soil reinforcement elements 30 of FIG. 1A. As illustrated inFIG. 13, the method for constructing the mechanically stabilized earthenembankment 15 in a location 16 comprises the steps of first constructingthe wall facing element 12 adjacent the location 16 of the earthenembankment 15.

The elongate soil reinforcement elements 30 are each positioned adjacentthe wall facing element 12 such that the elongate soil reinforcementelements 30 extend into the location 16 of the earthen embankment 15.The proximal ends 36 of each of the plurality of elongate soilreinforcement elements 30 are attached to the wall facing element 12.Fill soil 17 is then added to the location 16 to build the earthenembankment 15 over the plurality of elongate soil reinforcement elements30.

Constructed in this manner, stress in the fill soil 17 will createsufficient force to straighten some of the plurality of semi-extensiblebent segments 48 in the middle portions 37 of the plurality of elongatesoil reinforcement elements 30, allowing the earthen embankment to moveto an active condition thereby reducing the stress on the soilreinforcement elements 30. The semi-extensible bent segments 48 in themiddle portion 37 of the elongate soil reinforcement elements 30 therebyenable movement of the embankment 15 to the active condition withoutbreaking the elongate soil reinforcement elements 30. Once this movementhas occurred, the elongate soil reinforcement elements 30 becomenon-extensible, so further movement, sagging, weakening, etc., canoccur. For purposes of this application, the term “earthen embankment”is hereby defined to include any form of earthen formation that is to bestabilized consistent with the present description.

FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating how the above-described mechanicallystabilized embankment system 10 reduces force from the earthenembankment 15, thereby allowing the use of lighter steel. In a firstinstance 120, prior art systems result in a force spike at oneparticular portion of the soil reinforcement element, that requiressteel strong enough to withstand the force. In a second instance 122,using the present invention, the soil reinforcement element issemi-extensible and able to extend somewhat in the affected portion,thereby enabling the backfill of the earthen embankment to go into“active” condition, and resist movement, thereby reducing the strain onthe soil reinforcement elements. This reduced strain enables the use oflighter soil reinforcement elements, which require less steel, andtherefore reduced costs.

FIG. 15A is a side elevational view of a splicing element 150 forsplicing two different segments 152 and 154 of the elongate soilreinforcement element 30, and FIG. 15B is a top plan view thereof. Asillustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, it is sometimes necessary to splicethe two different segments 152 and 154 of the elongate soilreinforcement element 30. In this embodiment, the splicing element 150is formed by T-sections 156 and 158 (or similar structures) of the twodifferent segments 152 and 154, respectively, and a pair of lockingelements 160A and 160B. The locking elements 160A and 160B are, forexample, steel plates that include one or more locking apertures 164 forengaging the T-sections 156 and 158. A temporary fastener 162 such as atie wire holds the locking elements 160A and 160B in place until thesoil is added to cover the splicing element 150, after which the soilmaintains the locking elements 160A and 160B in place.

FIG. 16 is a graph illustrating a normalized coefficient of earthpressure relative to a depth below the top of the wall. As illustratedin FIG. 16, extensible geosynthetic reinforcements (such as plasticreinforcements) retain a K/Ka value of 1, while steel reinforcementsrequire from 1.2-2.5 K/Ka. The utilization of semi-extensiblereinforcement elements 30 should enable a steel product that has a K/Kavalue of 1, without the disadvantages of the plastic products, describedabove.

The semi-extensible nature of the reinforcements utilized in the presentapplication will result in the ability to utilize much less steel in theconstruction of the reinforcing elements 30, and thereby reduce thecosts of the embankment system 10, without the disadvantages of otherprior art systems that are fully extensible.

As used in this application, the words “a,” “an,” and “one” are definedto include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically statedotherwise. Also, the terms “have,” “include,” “contain,” and similarterms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically statedotherwise. Furthermore, the terminology used in the specificationprovided above is hereby defined to include similar and/or equivalentterms, and/or alternative embodiments that would be considered obviousto one skilled in the art given the teachings of the present patentapplication. While some representative embodiments of the anchor system10 are illustrated herein, the scope of the present invention should notbe limited to these embodiments, but should include any alternativeembodiments, constructions, and/or equivalent embodiments that might bedevised by those skilled in the art.

1. A method for constructing a mechanically stabilized earthenembankment in a location, the method comprising the steps of:constructing a wall facing element adjacent the location of the earthenembankment; providing a plurality of elongate soil reinforcementelements, each of the elongate soil reinforcement elements having aproximal end, a middle portion, and a distal end, the middle portion ofeach of the elongate soil reinforcement elements having a plurality ofsemi-extensible bent segments; positioning the plurality of elongatesoil reinforcement elements adjacent the wall facing element such thatthe elongate soil reinforcement elements extend into the location of theearthen embankment; connecting the proximal ends of each of theplurality of elongate soil reinforcement elements to the wall facingelement; and adding fill soil to the location to build the earthenembankment over the plurality of elongate soil reinforcement elements,whereby stress in the fill soil will create sufficient force tostraighten some of the plurality of semi-extensible bent segments in themiddle portions of the plurality of elongate soil reinforcementelements, allowing the earthen embankment to move to an active conditionthereby reducing the stress on the soil reinforcement elements.